Floor cleaning tool with a squeezing element

ABSTRACT

A floor cleaning tool is disclosed that includes a simplified structure for a mop head and squeezing element that allows for clean and compact storage of the mop head. The floor cleaning tool comprises a mop head having a backing surface supporting a cleaning material, a handle, and a squeezing element. The backing surface includes a first backing side and second backing side such that the mop head can be in a first position wherein the cleaning material is planar and a second position wherein the cleaning material is nonplanar. The handle extends from the backing surface. The squeezing element is longitudinally slidable along the handle and disconnected from the mop head. The squeezing element comprises a first squeezing side, a second squeezing side, a first connecting side between the first squeezing side and second squeezing side, and second connecting side between the first squeezing side and second squeezing side. The first squeezing side abuts with the first backing side and the second squeezing side abuts with the second backing side to move the mop head from the first position to the second position. In the second position the mop head is entirely positioned within the squeezing element.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to a floor cleaning tool with a squeezing element.

Squeezing elements on floor cleaning tools are used to squeeze excess water from the floor cleaning tool during use. Typically, the user will get the floor cleaning tool wet with cleaning solution, squeeze excess cleaning solution from the floor cleaning tool, wipe the floor, and then flush the dirty floor cleaning tool in the cleaning solution and repeat the process. Squeezing elements can be used with strip mops or with flat mops, commonly referred to as butterfly mops. Butterfly mops typically use cleaning materials that are reused several times. Therefore a wet and used cleaning material is kept in storage until the next used. Also, butterfly mops include springs, connectors, and other elements connecting the mop head to the squeezer allowing for the squeezer to bring the two ends of the mop head together to squeeze excess fluid. The connection system is complex, expensive to manufacture, and susceptible to breaking.

SUMMARY

A floor cleaning tool is disclosed that includes a simplified structure for a mop head and squeezing element that allows for clean and compact storage of the mop head.

In one embodiment, a floor cleaning tool comprises a mop head having a backing surface supporting a cleaning material, a handle, and a squeezing element. The backing surface includes a first backing side and second backing side such that the mop head can be in a first position wherein the cleaning material is planar and a second position wherein the cleaning material is nonplanar. The handle extends from the backing surface. The squeezing element is longitudinally slidable along the handle and disconnected from the mop head. The squeezing element comprises a first squeezing side, a second squeezing side, a first connecting side between the first squeezing side and second squeezing side, and second connecting side between the first squeezing side and second squeezing side. The first squeezing side abuts with the first backing side and the second squeezing side abuts with the second backing side to move the mop head from the first position to the second position. In the second position the mop head is entirely positioned within the squeezing element.

In one embodiment, the floor cleaning tool further comprises a hinge element between the first backing side and second backing side. In one embodiment, the backing surface includes an area of weakness between the first backing side and second backing side. In one embodiment, the area of weakness is a living hinge. In one embodiment, the first backing side is disconnected from the second backing side.

In one embodiment, in the first position the first backing side and second backing side are planar and parallel with one another. In one embodiment, in the second position the first backing side and second backing side are nonplanar. In one embodiment, in the second position the first backing side and second backing side are parallel to one another with the cleaning material between the first backing side and second backing side.

In one embodiment, the first squeezing side is slidable along the first backing side and the second squeezing side is slidable along the second backing side to move the mop head from the first position to the second position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the floor cleaning tool, in a first position;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the floor cleaning tool of FIG. 1 with the squeezing element engaging with the mop head;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the floor cleaning tool of FIG. 1 with the mop head entirely within the squeezing element.

While the above-identified drawings and figures set forth embodiments of the invention, other embodiments are also contemplated, as noted in the discussion. In all cases, this disclosure presents the invention by way of representation and not limitation. It should be understood that numerous other modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled in the art, which fall within the scope and spirit of this invention.

The figures may not be drawn to scale.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the floor cleaning tool 100. The floor cleaning tool 100 includes a mop head 200, a handle 300, and a squeezing element 400. The squeezing element 400 engages with the mop head 200 to move the mop head 200 from a first position wherein the mop head is planar to a second position wherein the mop head is nonplanar. FIG. 1 shows the floor cleaning tool 100 in a first position. FIG. 2 shows the cleaning tool 100 of FIG. 1 with a squeezing element 400 engaging with the mop head 200. FIG. 3 shows the cleaning tool 100 of FIG. 1 with the mop head 200 entirely within the squeezing element 400.

The mop head 200 includes a backing surface 210 that supports a cleaning material 250. On a side opposite the cleaning material 250 is a handle 300 connected to the backing surface 210. The disclosed mop head 200 and backing surface 210 includes at least a first backing side 220 and a second backing side 230. The first backing side 220 and second backing side 230 are moveable by the squeezing element 400. As shown, see especially FIG. 2, the first backing side 220 and second backing side 230 are movable in a way that the cleaning material 250 supported by each of the respective first backing side 220 and second backing side 230 move toward and contact one another. This contact applies the pressure to squeeze any excess water or cleaning solution contained in the cleaning material 250.

To accomplish the movement of the first backing side 220 and second backing side 230, in one embodiment one or more hinge elements 240 may be included between the first backing side 220 and second backing side 230. The hinge element 240 may be any kind of a structural element or deformity to allow for hinging movement, such as, for example, a spring or a living hinge.

As shown the backing surface 210 and supported cleaning material 250 are rectangular in shape. It is understood that any size shape or configuration of backing surface 210 and supported cleaning material 250 may be used such as, for example, a square, triangle, circular, oval, or any number of designs. In the embodiment shown, the backing surface 210 is substantially planar to support a continuous piece of cleaning material 250, such as a foam or sponge. Also, in the embodiment shown, the cleaning material is planar, but it is understood that the cleaning material may include raised or recessed regions, texture, or sloping side surfaces to further enhance cleaning.

The squeezing element 400 is longitudinally slidable along the handle 300, but otherwise disconnected from the mop head 200. Therefore, additional springs, connectors, etc. are not included between the squeezing element 400 and mop head 200, which simplify the design and reduce areas for potential breaking.

The squeezing element 400 includes a first squeezing side 410 and second squeezing side 420. The first squeezing side 410 engages with the first backing side 220 of the backing surface 210 of the mop head 200. The second squeezing side 410 engages with the second backing side 230 of the backing surface 210 of the mop head 200. The squeezing element 400 further includes a first connecting side 430, connected with the first squeezing side 410 and second squeezing side 420 and further includes a second connecting side 440, connected with the first squeezing side 410 and second squeezing side 420. In one embodiment, the first squeezing side 410 and second squeezing side 420 slidably move along the respective first backing side 220 and second backing side 230.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-3, which is a generally square or rectangular design of the squeezing element 400, the first squeezing side 410 is opposite the second squeezing side 420, and the first connecting side 430 is opposite the second connecting side 440. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-3, the first squeezing side 410, second squeezing side 420, first connecting side 430, and second connecting side 440 form a continuously extending perimeter around the squeezing element 400.

In a first position, which is shown in FIG. 1, the backing surface 210 and mop head 200 are essentially planar and able to be used for cleaning a surface. The movement of the squeezing element 400 along the handle brings the first squeezing side 410 in contact with the first backing side 210 and the second squeezing side 420 in contact with the second backing side 220 causing the mop head to move to a second position. In the second position, the backing surface 210 and mop head 200 are not planar and the cleaning material 250 will contact itself to remove excess water or cleaning solution. Including the first squeezing side 410, second squeezing side 420, first contacting side 430 and second contacting side 440 allows for containment of the squeezed mop head 200 during storage preventing the wet or dirty cleaning material 250 from coming into contact with surfaces.

Although specific embodiments of this invention have been shown and described herein, it is understood that these embodiments are merely illustrative of the many possible specific arrangements that can be devised in application of the principles of the invention. Numerous and varied other arrangements can be devised in accordance with these principles by those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus, the scope of the present invention should not be limited to the structures described in this application, but only by the structures described by the language of the claims and the equivalents of those structures. 

1. A floor cleaning tool comprising: a mop head having a backing surface supporting a cleaning material, wherein the backing surface includes a first backing side and second backing side such that the mop head can be in a first position wherein the cleaning material is planar and a second position wherein the cleaning material is nonplanar; a handle extending from the backing surface; a squeezing element longitudinally slidable along the handle and disconnected from the mop head, wherein the squeezing element comprises: a first squeezing side; a second squeezing side; a first connecting side between the first squeezing side and second squeezing side; second connecting side between the first squeezing side and second squeezing side; wherein the first squeezing side abuts with the first backing side and the second squeezing side abuts with the second backing side to move the mop head from the first position to the second position; and wherein in the second position the mop head is entirely positioned within squeezing element.
 2. The floor cleaning tool of claim 1, further comprising a hinge element between the first backing side and second backing side.
 3. The floor cleaning tool of claim 1, wherein the backing surface includes an area of weakness between the first backing side and second backing side.
 4. The floor cleaning tool of claim 1, wherein the area of weakness is a living hinge.
 5. The floor cleaning tool of claim 1, wherein the first backing side is disconnected from the second backing side.
 6. The floor cleaning tool of claim 1, wherein in the first position the first backing side and second backing side are planar and parallel with one another.
 7. The floor cleaning tool of claim 1, wherein in the second position the first backing side and second backing side are nonplanar.
 8. The floor cleaning tool of claim 1, wherein in the second position the first backing side and second backing side are parallel to one another with the cleaning material between the first backing side and second backing side.
 9. The floor cleaning tool of claim 1, wherein the first squeezing side is slidable along the first backing side and the second squeezing side is slidable along the second backing side to move the mop head from the first position to the second position.
 10. The floor cleaning tool of claim 1, wherein the first squeezing side, second squeezing side, first connecting side, and second connecting side form a continuous perimeter at an end of the squeezing element opposite an end connected to the handle.
 11. The floor cleaning tool of claim 1, wherein the cleaning material is a foam or sponge. 